There must be something in the Dutch air that accounts for the overwhelming number of DJ's and dance acts that the country has produced over the years. One of the latest to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Armin van Buuren and Tiesto is Robbert van der Corput, otherwise known as Hardwell, who usurped van Buuren to take the #1 spot in the annual DJ Magazine Top 100 in November, becoming the youngest act ever to do so at just 25 years of age. Given that van Buuren has topped the rankings for five of the last six years, the accomplishment is certainly a considerable one, but justified by Hardwell's ascension in the world of dance music - his 2013 saw him play on the main stage of the Tomorrowland festival, sell out venues on three continents, break streaming records for his performance at the Ultra Music festival and even release a documentary about his career thus far. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p-SnAC8U_k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8kUckZ15fE
Honourable Mention Haim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIjVpRAXK18 Topping the BBC's annual Sound Of... poll can either be a blessing or a curse. Several acts to receive the accolade have gone on to great success (including Ellie Goulding, Jessie J, Adele, Keane and er...50 Cent), whilst others have slipped into obscurity (Hi, The Bravery!). It's too early to see how the public will take to 2013's winners, California three-piece guitar band Haim (consisting of sisters Alana, Este and Danielle), in the long-term, but they've certainly got off to a good start, reaching #1 in the UK and #6 in the US with their debut album, which features tracks such as 'The Wire', 'Don't Save Me' and 'Falling'.
